The grape harvest in the Würzburg district has begun. Various winemakers report on the challenges they are facing this year – Corona is one of them.
The view from the vineyards to the Maria-Schnee-Kirche in Kleinochsenfurt is wonderful. But the Ullrich family has no time to enjoy it. Your winery is located directly in the Kleinochsenfurt vineyards, and all family members are in the vineyard early in the morning to cut off the hustle and bustle for the first Franconian Federweiß. Winemaker Reiner Ullrich has prepared everything, the small vineyard tractor is ready so that the filled buckets can be emptied.
The first Ortega grapes are ripe, so the harvest can begin. This will not be easy: There was a lot of wasps eaten and the frost resulted in different degrees of ripeness, says Ullrich. The latter means that the vineyards have to be looked up again later.
The quality of the wine depends on many different factors. On the one hand, the soil on which the vines grow plays a role, but also the regional climate, weather, moisture or frost. After the harvest, the wine is matured in the cellar. This year there is an additional component: Corona. Larger winegrowers employ seasonal workers, most of whom come from Eastern European countries. These must be tested and, if necessary, in quarantine in order to be able to work in the companies. Seasonal workers from Romania have to be tested three times as they pass through Hungary and Austria before they reach Germany.
Only ten people are allowed to be in the vineyard at the same time
The smaller wineries mainly work with family members or regular workers from the village, reports Ullrich. Only ten people are allowed to be in the vineyard at the same time. According to the winemaker, the winegrowers themselves are interested in ensuring that everything goes according to the regulations, because if an infected person works for a winemaker, it would be tantamount to a “worst case”.
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Corona is also an issue in Sommerhausen: The deputy district administrator Christine Haupt-Kreutzer, who visits a vineyard there together with Artur Steinmann, President of the Franconian Viticulture Association, is aware of the responsibility of the district office at this special time. “Just like in all other farms, the hygienic conditions must be observed during the grape harvest,” she says. “Seasonal workers must be reported to the district office and have a corona test done at the border.” In addition, the health department wants to carry out spot checks.
Artur Steinmann reports that the frost in the vineyards on the Mainschleife and in the Steigerwald caused serious damage. 2019 saw the smallest harvest since 1985, and there won’t be much more this year either. “Corona also brings difficulties for viticulture,” said Steinmann.
Due to Corona requirements, grape harvest only with full harvesters
Florian Hofmann from the viticulture service in Heidingsfeld explains that due to the Corona requirements, he will carry out the harvest 100 percent with machines, i.e. with full harvesters. Smaller areas that are read by hand should be left hanging this year.
Matthias Stumpf from the Bickel-Stumpf winery (Frickenhausen / Thüngersheim) feels well prepared. Seasonal workers from Romania who are permanently employed have been employed in his company for many years. When the workers arrive, they are housed in separate residential units in Thüngersheim, reports Stumpf. Members of the family would provide them with food so that the quarantine time would be guaranteed. Work can only be started when negative test results are available.
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Kleinochsenfurt
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Uschi Merten
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Artur Steinmann
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Christine Haupt-Kreutzer
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District administrators
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Agriculture
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Farms and businesses
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Seasonal workers
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Deputy district administrators
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Viticulture
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Wineries
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Vineyards
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Weingärtner
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Wineries
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